Rugby: Cooper set to quit

Controversial five-eighth Quade Cooper has reportedly
quit the Wallabies and the Australian Rugby Union and may
pursue a career overseas or in rugby league.

According to Australian broadcaster Channel Nine, New
Zealand-born Cooper made the move after being offered an
incentive-only based contract by the ARU.

The ARU reportedly told Cooper two weeks ago he would receive
only match payments from next season.

Cooper had already indicated he would remain with the
Queensland Reds for a further three seasons, but the ARU part
of that contract is still to be completed.

While the ARU and Cooper's camp would not comment tonight ,
the Queensland Rugby Union reiterated it was confident he
would honour his contract with the Reds.

But to play Super Rugby in 2013, Cooper must sign some form
of ARU documentation otherwise he will not be registered for
Queensland.

The French rugby union competition and the NRL are among the
potential destinations for the 24-year-old.

Cooper is no stranger to controversy.

In September the 38-test player vented his frustrations at
the "toxic" Wallabies environment and his relationship with
coach Robbie Deans via social media.

Those outbursts earned him two fines totalling $60,000 and a
three-match suspension.

After a marathon session of more than four hours at ARU
headquarters in North Sydney, the three-man panel fined
Cooper $10,000 for comments on social media about an
ARU-licensed product on September 22.

The other fine was $50,000 - $20,000 of which is suspended
for two years - for his comments on social media and in the
mainstream media.

Cooper was also banned for three matches, suspended for two
years.

At the end of the code of conduct hearing, the Reds playmaker
apologised for his behaviour, which he admitted fell below
Wallabies standards.

The bad boy of Australian rugby is also unpopular with New
Zealand fans for what was seen as a cheap shot on All Blacks
captain Richie McCaw - a knee to the head during a game in
Brisbane last year.

Born and raised in Tokoroa, Cooper shifted to Australia when
he was 15; he chose the Wallabies despite overtures from the
NZRU to come home in his late teens and commit to the All
Blacks.